Navigating Mental Health: An Ethnographic Inquiry into Awareness and Perceptions within the Ayta Magbukun Indigenous Community
Keywords:
Ayta Magbukun, Indigenous Peoples, Mental HealthAbstract
This ethnographic study critically explores the awareness and perceptions of mental health and well-being among the Ayta Magbukun indigenous community in the Philippines. Despite growing global recognition of mental health as a critical public health issue, indigenous populations often face unique challenges in accessing and engaging with conventional mental healthcare services due to cultural differences in understanding illness, historical marginalization, and systemic barriers. Employing a qualitative, ethnographic approach involving participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, this research delves into the Ayta Magbukun's traditional conceptualizations of mental distress, their indigenous healing practices, and their perspectives on modern mental health services. Findings reveal that mental health is often understood through a holistic lens, integrating physical, spiritual, and communal well-being, with traditional healers and community support playing pivotal roles. While there is some awareness of Western medical concepts, significant cultural gaps and historical mistrust act as barriers to seeking external professional help. This study underscores the urgent need for culturally sensitive, community-led mental health interventions that respect indigenous knowledge systems, integrate traditional healing practices, and address structural inequities to enhance mental health awareness and access within the Ayta Magbukun community.
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